Lehigh surges ahead of Holy Cross for 79-47 win

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) -- Mackey McKnight scored 16 points and Holden Greiner added 15 as Lehigh turned a close game midway through the first half into a 79-47 rout of Holy Cross in the Patriot League opener for both teams Saturday.

In their second contest without guard C.J. McCollum, who is out with a broken foot, the Mountain Hawks (11-4) trailed 17-16 at the 9:06 mark. Lehigh then held the Crusaders (8-8) scoreless for more than 6 minutes while reeling off 14 straight points.

The Mountain Hawks, who led 34-23 at halftime, pushed the lead to 18, at 49-31, with 14:23 left. McKnight scored eight points and Greiner hit two 3-pointers in the spurt.

Lehigh shot 66.7 percent from the field (16 of 24) after intermission and made 10 of 21 3-pointers for the game.

Justin Burrell's 16 points led the Crusaders, who have lost two straight and four of their last five.